Connecting device



Patented Apr. 16, Y19.29.

" UNITED STATES ERNEST J. SHAFFER, OI' TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

CONNECTING DEVICE.

Y yApplication' filed January 14, 1927. Serial No. 161,220.

rl`his invention relates to improvements in the class of connectingdevices known as S-links. These devices are in the nature of doubleended hooks used for temporarily connecting such yobjects as hoisting.lines or the like to objects that are to be moved vor lifted, aprominent instance of its use being in connection with deep welloutfitsfor connecting the hoisting lines to the bails of the sucker rodelevators. By means of the S-link the parts may be readily connected anddisconnected without disturbing the usual loop which forms the terminalof the hoisting line.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a very safe and reliable andyhighly efficient device of the aforesaid character that is sin ple ofconstruction, very strong and durable, relatively cheap of productionand is practically immune from disorder, the struct-ure being devoid ofany parts that are susceptible to becoming loosened or lost through thehandling or abuse of the device.

Vith these ends in View my invention may bedened as consisting of thecombination and arrangement of parts defined by the claims appendedhereto and illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein Fig. l is aside elevation of my improved safety S-link; Fig. 2 is an edge viewthereof as it would appear from the right of F ig.v l; and Fig. 3 is acentral section through the device in a plane parallel to that of Fig.l.

The body portion of the link is designated 1, and hooks 2 and 3 extendtherefrom in opposite .directions and are preferably reversed withrespect to each other. Extending through the body l is an opening orbore 4 which, at its opposite ends, merges into reccsses 5 that areformed in the shanks of the hooks 2 and 3. Pivoted upon pins 6 that aresupported by and between the side walls of the outer ends of therecesses 5 are gates 7 and 8 that are adapted to close the entrances tothe slots of the respective hooks 2 and 3. The gates are capable of aswinging movement between a position within the recesses 5 and onewherein their outer ends engage depressed seats 9 that are for-med inthe toes of the hooks 2 and 3, and the gates are yieldingly retained inclosed position with their outer ends engaged With said seats by` atension spring 10 that. is housed within the opening or bore 4 and hasits opposite ends hooked about pins 11 that are carried by the innerbifurcated ends of the gates, the endsl of the springs beingaccommodated within the notches of saidbifurcated ends.

The previously mentioned pins 6 whereon the gates 7 and 8 are pivotedare preferably in the nature of rivets so that after they are insertedand their ends upset there is no liability of their becoming loose.

`From the foregoing description it will be seen that my inventionprovides a very rugged and durable S-link that is particularlyconvenient of handling because the user may grasp it about the waist,diagonally of the body portion designated l, and apply it to the opposedobjects that are to be connected together, the spring l() yielding topermitthe gates to open readily upon the entrance ofsaid objects intothe slots of the hooks and servine' to immediately throw the gates toclosed position to effectively imprison the objects after they havepassed the gates. Regardless of how severe the impact between the hookand the objects is there is no danger of injury occurring to the gatesbecause they are free to swing entirely within the recesses 5 and beprotected by the surrounding parts of the link. When the gates are inclosed position, their inner ends are shielded by the parts of the bodyportion that surround the ends of the opening or bore 4, while theirouter ends are held in place by the protruding portions of the toes ofthe hooks on opposite sides of the depressed seats 9. The spring l() isimmune from injury because of its being so thoroughly protected withinthe opening or bore 4.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l. A device of thecharacter set forth comprising a. body portion having hooks eX- tendingin opposite directions therefrom and reversed with respect to eachother. a gate of fst-itt' unyielding material pivoted intermediate itsends to each side of the body and arranged to swing across the entranceof the adjacent hook so that its outer end contacts with the nose ofsaid hook, and a helical spring having its opposite ends connected tothe inner ends of the gates for yieldingly retaining themin a positionto close the entrances of the hooks.

2. A device of the character set forth comprising a body portion havinghooks extending in opposite directions therefrom, the shank of each hookhaving a recess that is opposite the toe of the hook, a gate pivotallysupported adjacent one end of the recess and adapted to swing from aposition therein to a posit-ion across the entrance of the hook, the toeof the hook having a depression into which the tree end of the gateswings When moved to closed position, and a spring tending to swing thegate to closed position.

3. A device of the character set forth cornprising a body portion havinghooks extendingin opposite directions therefrom, the shank of each hookhaving a recess that is opposite the toe ot' the hook, a gate pivotaiiysupported adjacent one end of the recess and adapted to swing from aposition therein to a position across the entrance of the hook,

thetoe of the hook having a depression into Which the free end of thegate swings When moved to closed position, and a spring common to bothgates'for swinging said gates to closed position.

d. A device of the character set forth comprising a body portion havinghooks extending in opposite directions therefrom and reversed withrespect to each other, the body portion having a transverse bore, theshank f each hook opposite the toe thereof having aA recess that mergesat its outer end into the bore, a gate pivotaliy supported by the bodyportion at the junction of each recess and the bore and arranged toswing across and close the entrance of the adjacent hook, the toe ofeach hook having;` a depression for the reception of the tree end of thecorresponding gate, and a spring housed Within said bore and having itsopposite ends connected to the `gates thereby to yieldingiy retain themin closed position.

'In testimony whereof, I hereunto atiix my signature.

` J. SHAFFER.

